KOLKATA: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh was targeted when a youth allegedly hurled an egg at him outside party supremo Mamata Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in south Kolkata on Monday evening, shortly after he came out of the house.
The incident took place around 6.30 pm when Ghosh, the MLA from Beliaghata in north Kolkata, stopped to speak to reporters outside the residence.
A man, later identified as Chandan, allegedly threw an egg at Ghosh from close range. Although Ghosh tried to duck, the egg hit his head and broke on impact, according to onlookers.
"He (Ghosh) deserves to be hit with eggs. He has committed many atrocities and done many wrong things," a local youth Chandan alleged.
The accused, who claimed to be a local resident, later told the media, "He has done a lot of wrong. This is what he deserved. Everyone knows what he has done. There is nothing more to add."
After making the remarks, he left the area.
Ghosh strongly condemned the incident, calling it a "planned act of hooliganism", and questioned the role of the police personnel present at the spot.
"I was standing there speaking to the media after coming out of Mamata-di's house. Two boys were within arm’s reach. I was unarmed. One of them threw an egg and ran away. Nobody protested, nobody stopped them, and nobody tried to catch them," Ghosh said.
Referring to the allegations against him, Ghosh said, "Who committed atrocities? Did I do it? Did Mamata-di do it? How am I responsible for that?"
The TMC leader also questioned the security arrangements in the area.
"Mamata-di receives Z-category security. This incident happened within 10 metres of her residence. Then where was the security?" Ghosh asked.
Striking a defiant tone, he added, "This will not deter me. One incident like this will not make any difference."
Till 7.30 pm, there was no information on whether a police complaint had been lodged or if any action had been taken against the accused.